Turtle Island Resort

My wife and I recently spent a glorious week at Turtle for our honeymoon, and it exceeded any and all expectations we had for it!! Words and pictures cannot begin to describe the Turtle experience- from the great staff, beautiful beaches, to the absolute privacy- this is the best resort we have ever been to, anywhere! Getting to know other guests, the staff, our bure mama, you soon realize that you are considered part of the Turtle family, and that this is about far more than being a guest at a resort- it is an experience- getting to know a new culture, enjoying the most beautiful beaches anywhere, and enjoying the solitude of a magnificent island. There are as many or as few activities as you want, which allows you to have a great mix of privacy and social time. As others have said, it is the people that create this magic- both the staff and the guests. There is simply no place like this- we will treasure the memories of our honeymoon there forever, and plan on returning many more times!

My partner and I recently made our second visit to Turtle Island, Fiji, having visited previously in September 2002. We absolutely will not be making a third trip. Although we enjoyed our visit in 2002, enough to return, we knew there were a few problems-in particular, the food had been just OK for a resort of this reputation and cost. This visit made us realize how badly a resort like Turtle can slide if not appropriately managed and cared for.

First, management doesn't seem to exist. On our first visit, there was a very gracious manager (Rob) who made sure we were properly oriented at the start of our stay and checked in with us repeatedly to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. On this visit, there was no real manager of the island-and it showed. Upon our arrival at the island after an 11 hour flight, 2 hour interval, and 30 minute seaplane flight, we received no orientation upon arrival but were immediately required/forced to take a tour of the island and visit the local school. We desperately wanted to get to our bure, take a shower, and use the restroom, but we weren't given a choice even after we protested. We had to stop the nice staff member mid-tour and firmly request that we be taken to our bure so we could clean up. There was no one whom we could even tell that such a tour was ill-advised under such circumstances. At no time did anyone really explain things to us or let us know who we could go to in the event of a challenge or problem. In fact, we took it upon ourselves to help orient several new guests who had never before visited Turtle. This lack of management was disturbing.

After our first dinner, the island's owner did put in an appearance and encouraged us to contact our "bure momma" (essentially a butler) for anything we needed. However, we often found it difficult to connect with her. When we mentioned even a few items to our momma that we needed or wanted, she often didn't seem to understand or appreciate our concerns. The "bure momma/butler" is a great idea--if the individuals are suitably and equitably trained. Regardless, the bure manager/butler still does not assume the role of manager in case of complaint or additional needs for a resort of this cost. We and other guests observed a great difference in the level of attentiveness that we received from our momma and that by others. The fact that we were in the most expensive bure on the island didn't seem to make a difference-we certainly received far from the best service accorded by a bure momma. Other guests mentioned similarly disappointing experiences with their mommas. The owner never seemed to be around when you wanted to have a conversation regarding these circumstances, or else seemed to beat a hasty retreat when you began.

Second, the food and wine are not remotely suitable for a resort of this cost range. On our first visit, we realized the food was just OK but had a terrific time nevertheless. On this second visit, the food was much, much worse. Overcooked seems to be the only style of note at Turtle. Certainly, there was nothing "gourmet" or "first class" as advertised. In addition, for lunch one day they actually served us leftovers from dinner the previous night! We and many other guests were outraged. Even our private beach lunch picnics, which we adored so much from our first visit and which accounted for a big part of our desire to return, had food of less desirable quality than we remembered. Lobster that we remembered so fondly was overcooked so much so that we began ordering anything else we could. There wasn't a great deal of variety to mitigate the situation. On top of all of that, the wine list had seriously thinned since our last visit. In our previous visit, there were a number of very good wines and champagnes; on this visit, there were few wines of any serious quality, if any. For this cost, there should be some pretty good wines and champagnes available.

Third, the level of service and enthusiasm has markedly dropped. We remember a friendly, enthusiastic and extremely helpful staff that catered warmly and easily to us during our first visit. This visit made us realize that the level of training and attention to detail had significantly slipped. As previously mentioned, the bure momma experiment was a failure in our opinion, since ours was often not available and quite often failed to do whatever it was she told us would be done. Even the beach picnics didn't measure up. In the past, the picnics were arranged and set-up for us before our arrival at the private beaches; on this visit, the staff merely dropped us off with the picnic supplies in coolers and we set things up ourselves. Although a minor inconvenience, even the presentation and explanations of each meal were difficult to understand because a Fijian staff member with remarkably poor English made the presentations. We and many other guests usually had little idea what was being relayed or served to us.

We knew that the island owner had married a local Fijian woman and had fired a significant proportion of the staff within the last 2 years. Evidently, their replacements were members of her extended family and had not received suitable training appropriate to the level required for a resort of this cost range. We suspect it might also be difficult to manage a staff when they are related to you. In any case, the level of service and attention to detail was sorely lacking compared to what we had come to expect both at Turtle and at other comparable resorts in similar areas.

For most guests looking for a luxury private island getaway of this caliber and cost, the above problems are probably sufficient to deter anyone from visiting Turtle anytime in the near future. However, we had one additional problem: homophobia.

We had known that at one time Turtle had a policy not permitting same sex couples, but we made our first visit in 2002 and had a wonderful time. On this second visit, there were problems. Because we were staying the nicest bure with the best views, many other guests had asked to come up and see our bure; as a result, we offered to host cocktails at our bure for everyone one night. The staff said that would be fine. The next day, the staff asked if we could delay the cocktails at our bure for one more night; we were happy to comply. The following day, the staff meekly informed us that we could not host cocktails, after all. We were told that the resort didn't want to repeat activities that had occurred the previous week for their guests whose stays were longer than a week-evidently, another guest had hosted cocktails the previous week at our bure. When I pointed out that they were repeating every OTHER activity and meal location for those same guests, the staff beat a hasty retreat with no further explanation. We knew something was up, but we decided to take the high road and offered to host an informal cocktail reception at sunset rather than 2 hours later at the normal time. The staff wouldn't even let me put the notice "on the board", despite repeated requests by all of the other guests present at that time. So I put the notice on the board myself. Only later that day did other guests tell me that the staff had erased all mention of our cocktail reception. We also had asked our bure momma to provide plenty of additional alcohol and refreshments for at least 6 couples at our bure for the reception. As it were, she left supplies only for an additional couple or two at best.

In the end, every couple but 2 came to our unofficial cocktail reception. One couple that did attend mentioned one missing couple was homophobic and had complained. This was later confirmed by the other couple that missed the reception, who were friendly with both us and the missing homophobic couple. It turns out that the staff (and owner, putatively) had elected to avoid the problem by not permitting us to host the reception. In our opinion, the professional approach would have been to tell the homophobic couple to not bother to attend and leave it at that.

After that incident, another couple mentioned to us that they had had a conversation with the owner before our arrival regarding the "homosexual couple" that would be visiting the island-namely, us. The couple felt very uncomfortable with the owner's perspective on gay guests.

The final straw that proved the resort's homophobia and complete lack of professionalism came at the end of our week. Turtle always offers its guests the "Lodge Plan." This plan permits you the chance to prepay for further weeks at Turtle at discount for the next 10 years. At the end of our first stay, the manager had met with us, and we had prepaid for this second week. At the end of this second stay, no one bothered to meet with us. Considering that a staff member with every other couple up to that point regarding their Lodge Plan but not us, we considered that a gross disinvitation to ever return to the island. We found the lack of any Lodge Plan offer incredibly inappropriate and grossly unprofessional.

Suffice to say that we will never return to Turtle Island. It is a shame, because the island boasts wonderful beaches in an idyllic setting, and the Fijian people are wonderful. However, the costs are prohibitive based upon the poor level of service and food and wine. Finally, all gay couples should refrain from ever visiting such a homophobic environment until proper management and training can alleviate the island's and/or owner's challenge in that regard.

We have visited the hotel and it is so fantastic.The staff are very kind and good to us. The rate of accommodation is cheap. What a wonderful adventure.

Ten years ago when we were married, we couldn't dream of taking such a trip. Now after years of hard slog and a couple of children, we have finally rewarded ourselves with a romantic interlude in wonderful Fiji. We are so glad that we chose Turtle Island but so sad that we had to wait so long!

From the moment that you step off that seaplane into the beautiful Blue lagoon waters and accept your cocktail you are taken away to Paradise.

I couldn't believe how spacious and beautiful our bure was. And so romantic. Each day we were offered our own private beach and arrived there with our Bure Mama who doubles as your personal butler, and our more than adequate supply of wonderful food and drinks. And if we ran out - all we needed to do was radio for more.

Nothing was too much trouble. We dined with the guests most nights - lots of fun and truly lovely people.

And most importantly - no phones, no TV, and my husband didn't take his laptop.

After a short stay in january this year we reflect on the most beautiful people we have met in many years. The Fijians.

Turtle Island itself was a huge disappointment with quality very poor and forced activities. But the people (staff) of the Island were magnificent. You could not want for better genuine people.

It is true the owner of Turtle Island should take better care of the staff. With so much money going into that resort (tips, foundations, fund raising etc) you would think that the staff could have better breakfast than tea and dried biscuits.

Food quality was terrible and often picnics were presented in a slapped around manner. Eitrher wrong meals or cooked incorrectly!

There are a 100 things that need to be addressed at Turtle including the disposal of rubbish. How they can get the Green Globe Award is amazing.

But the staff (what is left now) are worthy of the effort.

Overall recommendations: Not worth the money and no chance to get any refund if product not delivered. Evanson suddenly plays "impossible to contact" when you need to address issues of disatissfaction.

But Fiji....recommend everyone go there to meet these people.

My husband and I recently stayed on Turtle Island for our honeymoon. After a British winter and all of the stressful build-up to the wedding, I can't think of a better place to relax and honeymoon than Turtle. Being around other couples who are on the same romantic, chilled-out vibe as you is the best thing when you're newly married. The amazing staff - especially our fantastic bure manager Ana who we think about all the time, the privacy, and the breathtaking scenery of Turtle Island stay with you forever. The private beach picnics, afternoons lazing in the jacuzzi, and our visit to talk to the island's schoolchildren, made our holiday truly memorable. We made some great friends from all around the world while we were there, and still keep in touch with most of them. Now we're back in London it's a little hard to imagine the heaven that is Turtle Island - but we just put on our Turtle CD, say "keep smiling", and pretend we're walking along that sunny white shore.

I went to Turtle with my new husband for our honeymoon for 12 days in June 2004, total cost $17,000 USD including airfare. Turtle is a nice resort but it depends on what you are used to and why you are going. My husband and I live on the gulf coast of Florida, one of the beaches that is 10 minutes from our house was voted "the whitest white sand beach in the world" by the travel channel. So we didn't go to turtle for the beaches, we went because it is supposed to be unsurpassed on romance - the blue lagoon, breakfast on the beach, etc. Well, it's not exactly like the brochures.

PROS (Rooms): You get your own bure, with jacuzzi (in deluxe rooms), a beach outside your bure, your own butler. CONS (Rooms): The rooms are set up differently and some are better appointed than others. By "appointed" I'm not talking about the furniture, the furniture is the same in all bures and is very nice. But things like sheets and towels vary from room to room. Each bure has its own sheets and towels that only that bure uses, so some bures have gross, ratty towels and sheets that really need to be replaced and other bures have "ok" linens. None of the linens are nice, something that bothered me b/c the prices were so high. Some bures have much older furniture than others, the first bure we stayed in was pretty gross, we didnt like using our jacuzzi b/c it smelled so bad and hadnt been cleaned in a while. We asked our "butler" to clean it but it was never done. The entire resort and the bures smell awful, like mildew b/c they have NO airconditioning. I didn't mind not having A/C b/c I'm from Florida, but some people might be uncomfortable. NExt, the "butlers". The butlers are really the old cleaning staff. They used to be maids and the resorts upgraded their status only 6 months ago to "butlers". They arent that good at their new jobs. Our first butler in bure 14 forgot to do most of the stuff we asked him, and he never planned activities etc. The second bure, bure #5, the butler was much better, she signed us up for activities and did the stuff we asked. But they still pretty much act like glorified cleaning staff, dont depend on them to sign you up for stuff, they forget. Also, they have a laundry service, DO NOT let them wash your clothes unless you want them ruined. They accidently poured bleach all over a few of my husbands shirts and some of my clothes and then hid the clothes in our suitcases so we wouldnt see they had ruined them.

Kids weeks, many times travel agents neglect to tell you about kids weeks. The last few days we were there most of the honeymooners left and stressed out parents showed up with tons of screaming children. The island is very small and you cannot get away from them. Since the island is split up into 2 parts you think the managers would put kids on one side and honeymooners on the other side. But no, we had to ask to be moved repeatedly (i did not want to listen to other people's screaming kids on my honeymoon), they moved us after a few days and we enjoyed ourselves much more.

The food: the food is not great - at all. It was average local fare. The hotel only had fresh tuna if the guests who went out fishing that day caught it themselves. I really wanted to say "this trip cost $17k and we dont get any fish b/c none of the GUESTS caught it?" Some nights we had some basic type of whitefish and very basic food. Not at all what they advertise and what you expect for the prices. The french chef they mention in the brochure has quit and does not work there anymore and instead of hiring another gourmet chef they hired a local guy who has very basic, limited cooking abilities.

Most of the boats and water equipment is very old. The resort does ask people to join in activities on a group basis, like dining is at a large table, which I thought was fun.

And also this is mainly a beach vacation, there is nothing to do at night except kava ceremonies and they only last a little while.

Summary: The resort is nice. If this is the biggest,grandest trip you have taken or you plan on taking in the next 5-10 years. You might overlook the fact that most things on the island need to be replaced and not be dissappointed. We met a few couples that are coming back in 5 or 10 years on the "lodge" plan that the resort tries to sell you. But keep in mind that this is not the Ritz. The Ritz is far nicer and CHEAPER. The prices are way too high for what you are getting. The big selling point they have is the sunset/sunrise horseback rides you can sign up for. Which is unique, but not unique enough for me to pay $17,000 to go back, also I have heard from other people the resort had a great reputation years ago and it has been going down hill, b/c the owner doesnt put money into it anymore. So my opinion is do some research and go to a resort that actually is what they advertise to be, this resort is not what they tell people.

We went here for our honeymoon during Christmas of 1998, so this was 5 years ago, but let me say this. We spent $11,500 on a 6 night stay here (including airfare) and it was worth EVERY PENNY. We literally used our house fund to pay for the trip and spent 3 extra years in an apartment saving up money again for a house, and let me say this...it was worth EVERY PENNY! I've only met one other person who's ever gone there, and they hated it. (granted they went during a drought so it was very dry and it wasn't their cup of tea). So..you have to consider it in context. Besides staying in a room that was bigger than my apartment with a huge 2 person open-air walk-in shower, jacuzzi in the floor, another outdoor shower and daybed, complete privacy, everything included with 5 star meals and drinks, they ALSO came in 3 times per day and laid fresh flowers all over the room..sprinkling the bed, on the countertops...it was amazing. When we arrived on the island it was truley straight out of fantasy island. Someone was video taping our arrival..and a group of singing employees waded out into the water to our seaplane to welcome us as they handed us coconut drinks and whisked us off the plane onto shore. Our hut or "bure" as they call it had a wooded sign at the entrance with our names burned into it. I am not kidding you..the service was over the top. We had private meals set up just for us, a beach reserved just for us for the day...no one else allowed, and we were left with a full cooler of gourmet food, drinks, and a walkie talkie to use if we needed anything at all. My husband would call just for the fun of it and say "I need a raft" or "I need another beer" and literally within 10 minutes we would hear the hum of a little boat coming to our beach to bring us whatever we'd requested. I could go on and on. The price is high, the flight is long, but you will not be disappointed. We were there with celebrities...you are literally 2 of 24 guests and over 125 staff. Do the math, that's 5 servants per guest. Go to their website and then talk to a travel agent. It's one of the best in the world. Okay..downsides: forget shoes, you won't wear them all week except for water shoes on occassion. There is sand everywhere. You cannot get around without walking on sand, so your normal shoes will get trashed. Save your sanity and go barefoot. Humidity (we went in December) outrageous and there is no airconditioning (but honestly it was the heat of summer there and we were fine) Room is louvered windows and fans...really works. Meals are either taken with the group (in amazing locations all over the island - each night is a suprise) or by yourself. We spend xmas even at the end of a dock by ourselves over the water with a waiter that brought our food/drinks..ect) okay..I'm not good at downsides for this place. We did think the managers were occassionally intrusive....but what do you expect? They are on this tiny island all the time. Everyone knows everyone else. In fact the entire staff is required to memorize your name and picture BEFORE you arrive on the island. (they take a polaroid of you at the Intern'l airport) then send it immediately on a little plane to turtle island so they have an hour or two to memorize who you are before you arrive. Okay..I'm stopping now. If you don't like this place then I'd say you are possibly bitter b/c of the price. It was worth it to us. We are told to go in May (best time of year), don't go in August. Save up..this is a once in a lifetime trip, and if I can ever justify spending 10 grand on a vacation again, we will be back because this was the best week of my life.

we went here about 7 years ago. couldn't fault the food/drink or private beaches - which is what you'd expect at these prices! BUT, the resort is not as laid back as they like to suggest and the managers I hope have long gone!!!

there was pressure put on us to join in more and go along to at least one of the group dinners - as well as come to the breakfast room (one big table for all). we liked to dine on our own and i felt this wasn't really what they wanted. "dock lady" who booked boats etc had an attitude I haven't seen since teaching stroppy teenagers in tough North London schools!!!! also, beware there is a LOT of pressure to contribute to the staff fund (they suggested around 200 plus dollars), even though tips are included in the price. At the end, we decided we'd paid enough and didn't put any extra money in the envelope left in the room. Before we'd even left the resort, someone had been to our room and checked our envelope!!!! The manager approached me about it and when I said i understood a contribution was optional, he made no comment, but looked furious. I said I hoped it wasn't a problem and he barked "no problem at all" at me, before storming off. also gay couples beware - they didn't mention this until we got there, but they prefer heterosexual couples, as a religious family once got offended by a gay couple's show of affection on the beach!!!!!!! also, make sure you get one of the newer rooms right on the beach - no 1 room on the hill is a great position, but was in need of renovating - hopefully they've done it by now.

would we go back - no - it's too uptight for paradise!!!